Helen Gatewood
October 1, 1922 - April 26, 2015
Helen Gatewood passed peacefully April 26, 2015, -surrounded by her family. An Easter Star service will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, May 1, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City.
Helen Roberta Small was born to Walter and Tessa (Mayberry) Small on October 1, 1922, in Sheridan, Wyoming. The family left their ranch near Wyola, Montana, and returned to Nebraska the next year. The family became an active part of the Decatur, NE community. Helen graduated from Decatur High School in 1940 and attended Midland College for one year then returned to Decatur to teach the 1941-42 school year at Ball School District 38. Helen then answered her true calling to be a nurse and attended St. Joseph College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1945. On July 24th of that year she married Joel W. Gatewood. During their 15 year marriage, they were blessed with four children. In the 1970s, Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College. Her lifelong career of service included work as a rural school teacher, case worker with the Department of Human Services in Dakota and Woodbury Counties, registered nurse in the Sioux City hospitals, and school nurse in both the South Sioux City and Sioux City Community Schools. After her retirement from the Sioux City schools in 1985, she worked with Western Iowa Tech Community College on the Preschool Screening Team.
Although Helen was a working Mom, she enjoyed volunteering in the schools and community and was always a part of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She was a past President and lifetime member of the Elementary and High School PTA organizations. She assisted as a school room mother and helped start the post-prom party event.
Helen was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City. She was a life-long volunteer throughout the community and active in several organizations that emphasize service to others, including: Friends of the Library, PEO, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Nile. Helen also enjoyed finding treasures at rummage sales, collecting and experimenting with recipes, completing the daily cross-word puzzle, and never missed celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday with her family by finding creative, personal gifts (although not always on time).
Celebrating her legacy of love and service are her children: Joel (Marcia) Gatewood, Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes, and James (Ruth) Gatewood; brother: Walter “Bud” Small, nephew: Dan (Konnie) Small. Helen treasured her grandchildren and they cherished her love: Tessa (Jeff) Etherington, Anna (Patrick) Reynolds, Carey Barnes, Jessica Petersen, Adam Petersen, Emily (Josh) Murray, and Jacob (Pam) Gatewood, great-grandchildren: Jack, Katie, Josh, Kindi, and Tommy Etherington, Joel and Hanna Reynolds, Elizabeth Murray, and Marshal Gatewood, as well as other beloved family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law: Viola Small, and nephew: John Small.
October 1, 1922 - April 26, 2015
Helen Gatewood passed peacefully April 26, 2015, -surrounded by her family. An Easter Star service will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, May 1, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City.
Helen Roberta Small was born to Walter and Tessa (Mayberry) Small on October 1, 1922, in Sheridan, Wyoming. The family left their ranch near Wyola, Montana, and returned to Nebraska the next year. The family became an active part of the Decatur, NE community. Helen graduated from Decatur High School in 1940 and attended Midland College for one year then returned to Decatur to teach the 1941-42 school year at Ball School District 38. Helen then answered her true calling to be a nurse and attended St. Joseph College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1945. On July 24th of that year she married Joel W. Gatewood. During their 15 year marriage, they were blessed with four children. In the 1970s, Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College. Her lifelong career of service included work as a rural school teacher, case worker with the Department of Human Services in Dakota and Woodbury Counties, registered nurse in the Sioux City hospitals, and school nurse in both the South Sioux City and Sioux City Community Schools. After her retirement from the Sioux City schools in 1985, she worked with Western Iowa Tech Community College on the Preschool Screening Team.
Although Helen was a working Mom, she enjoyed volunteering in the schools and community and was always a part of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She was a past President and lifetime member of the Elementary and High School PTA organizations. She assisted as a school room mother and helped start the post-prom party event.
Helen was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City. She was a life-long volunteer throughout the community and active in several organizations that emphasize service to others, including: Friends of the Library, PEO, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Nile. Helen also enjoyed finding treasures at rummage sales, collecting and experimenting with recipes, completing the daily cross-word puzzle, and never missed celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday with her family by finding creative, personal gifts (although not always on time).
Celebrating her legacy of love and service are her children: Joel (Marcia) Gatewood, Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes, and James (Ruth) Gatewood; brother: Walter “Bud” Small, nephew: Dan (Konnie) Small. Helen treasured her grandchildren and they cherished her love: Tessa (Jeff) Etherington, Anna (Patrick) Reynolds, Carey Barnes, Jessica Petersen, Adam Petersen, Emily (Josh) Murray, and Jacob (Pam) Gatewood, great-grandchildren: Jack, Katie, Josh, Kindi, and Tommy Etherington, Joel and Hanna Reynolds, Elizabeth Murray, and Marshal Gatewood, as well as other beloved family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law: Viola Small, and nephew: John Small.
Helen Gatewood
October 1, 1922 - April 26, 2015
Helen Gatewood passed peacefully April 26, 2015, -surrounded by her family. An Easter Star service will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, May 1, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City.
Helen Roberta Small was born to Walter and Tessa (Mayberry) Small on October 1, 1922, in Sheridan, Wyoming. The family left their ranch near Wyola, Montana, and returned to Nebraska the next year. The family became an active part of the Decatur, NE community. Helen graduated from Decatur High School in 1940 and attended Midland College for one year then returned to Decatur to teach the 1941-42 school year at Ball School District 38. Helen then answered her true calling to be a nurse and attended St. Joseph College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1945. On July 24th of that year she married Joel W. Gatewood. During their 15 year marriage, they were blessed with four children. In the 1970s, Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College. Her lifelong career of service included work as a rural school teacher, case worker with the Department of Human Services in Dakota and Woodbury Counties, registered nurse in the Sioux City hospitals, and school nurse in both the South Sioux City and Sioux City Community Schools. After her retirement from the Sioux City schools in 1985, she worked with Western Iowa Tech Community College on the Preschool Screening Team.
Although Helen was a working Mom, she enjoyed volunteering in the schools and community and was always a part of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She was a past President and lifetime member of the Elementary and High School PTA organizations. She assisted as a school room mother and helped start the post-prom party event.
Helen was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City. She was a life-long volunteer throughout the community and active in several organizations that emphasize service to others, including: Friends of the Library, PEO, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Nile. Helen also enjoyed finding treasures at rummage sales, collecting and experimenting with recipes, completing the daily cross-word puzzle, and never missed celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday with her family by finding creative, personal gifts (although not always on time).
Celebrating her legacy of love and service are her children: Joel (Marcia) Gatewood, Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes, and James (Ruth) Gatewood; brother: Walter “Bud” Small, nephew: Dan (Konnie) Small. Helen treasured her grandchildren and they cherished her love: Tessa (Jeff) Etherington, Anna (Patrick) Reynolds, Carey Barnes, Jessica Petersen, Adam Petersen, Emily (Josh) Murray, and Jacob (Pam) Gatewood, great-grandchildren: Jack, Katie, Josh, Kindi, and Tommy Etherington, Joel and Hanna Reynolds, Elizabeth Murray, and Marshal Gatewood, as well as other beloved family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law: Viola Small, and nephew: John Small.
October 1, 1922 - April 26, 2015
Helen Gatewood passed peacefully April 26, 2015, -surrounded by her family. An Easter Star service will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, May 1, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City.
Helen Roberta Small was born to Walter and Tessa (Mayberry) Small on October 1, 1922, in Sheridan, Wyoming. The family left their ranch near Wyola, Montana, and returned to Nebraska the next year. The family became an active part of the Decatur, NE community. Helen graduated from Decatur High School in 1940 and attended Midland College for one year then returned to Decatur to teach the 1941-42 school year at Ball School District 38. Helen then answered her true calling to be a nurse and attended St. Joseph College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1945. On July 24th of that year she married Joel W. Gatewood. During their 15 year marriage, they were blessed with four children. In the 1970s, Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College. Her lifelong career of service included work as a rural school teacher, case worker with the Department of Human Services in Dakota and Woodbury Counties, registered nurse in the Sioux City hospitals, and school nurse in both the South Sioux City and Sioux City Community Schools. After her retirement from the Sioux City schools in 1985, she worked with Western Iowa Tech Community College on the Preschool Screening Team.
Although Helen was a working Mom, she enjoyed volunteering in the schools and community and was always a part of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. She was a past President and lifetime member of the Elementary and High School PTA organizations. She assisted as a school room mother and helped start the post-prom party event.
Helen was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City. She was a life-long volunteer throughout the community and active in several organizations that emphasize service to others, including: Friends of the Library, PEO, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Nile. Helen also enjoyed finding treasures at rummage sales, collecting and experimenting with recipes, completing the daily cross-word puzzle, and never missed celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday with her family by finding creative, personal gifts (although not always on time).
Celebrating her legacy of love and service are her children: Joel (Marcia) Gatewood, Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes, and James (Ruth) Gatewood; brother: Walter “Bud” Small, nephew: Dan (Konnie) Small. Helen treasured her grandchildren and they cherished her love: Tessa (Jeff) Etherington, Anna (Patrick) Reynolds, Carey Barnes, Jessica Petersen, Adam Petersen, Emily (Josh) Murray, and Jacob (Pam) Gatewood, great-grandchildren: Jack, Katie, Josh, Kindi, and Tommy Etherington, Joel and Hanna Reynolds, Elizabeth Murray, and Marshal Gatewood, as well as other beloved family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law: Viola Small, and nephew: John Small.
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